Do I smell bad?

There could be an odor which you haven't noticed yet.

It’s a bit embarrassing to ask friends or family… but don’t worry, it’s easy to get rid of unpleasant odor.

What are the causes of body odor.

Perspiration can often be the cause of body odor. However, fresh perspiration is basically odorless, but it is bacteria and other sources that are the real causes for body odor. Bacteria living on your skin and digesting the byproducts of your metabolism found in your perspiration can produce some odor – just like these byproducts themselves can be the source of body odor. Any imbalances in metabolism can result in stronger odors. Dietary imbalances, resulting in constipation or a deficiency of magnesium or zinc may be other causes of body odor. Because of a person's individual body chemistry, some people who eat large quantities of meat or who are vegetarians can have a very distinctive body odor that can be quite offensive. Body odor is usually associated with the armpits, but bacteria can also produce odor in the groin or anus area, upper thighs, and feet, among other places.

How to become odor free?

1. After washing with soap and completely drying, immediately apply an underarm antiperspirant. Remember, deodorants do not prevent sweating. They mainly mask the smell of the bacteria on your sweaty skin. Antiperspirants are chemical agents that reduce sweating. Many antiperspirant preparations also contain a deodorant, which helps to mask the smell. Check the product you use to make sure it contains an antiperspirant.

2. If sweat from working out is your No. 1 cause of body odor, wash your workout clothes often. Sweaty gym clothes are a bacteria-breeding ground.

3. Change your diet. Sometimes, fatty foods, oils, or strong-smelling foods like garlic, curry, and onions, can seep through your pores and cause body odor. (Always see a doctor or dietician before making drastic dietary changes.)

4. Smelly feet can also cause smelly shoes. Treating your shoes with an over-the-counter deodorizer can help. Also, wear thick, absorbent socks if you can.

5. If you have excessive sweating, talk to your doctor. There are many treatment options for those with more severe sweating who desire more permanent treatments. Also, certain medical problems can lead to excessive sweating. Your doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

How about the odor from your private parts?

Vaginal odor may limit sexual activity in a relationship; the woman feels uncomfortable, and the man becomes a little distant. However, the vagina has a distinct smell that is not a problem. Each woman has a particular vaginal smell which is natural. Even when you notice a recent difference in its smell, it is not necessarily a bad thing or the sign of an infection. That change may be linked to a specific moment of your menstrual cycle because the smell of your vagina can vary depending on the time of the cycle. Moreover, it is normal that it has a certain odor sometimes. Whether this natural smell is neutral or not, it is a matter of personal judgment. In fact, some women notice their odor when there is no notable odor detected by their partners. However, if the odor changes and becomes strongly unpleasant (repugnant fishy vaginal odor) your attention is needed because it is perhaps a sign of a serious vaginal infection. Left untreated, this condition may cause not only physiologic problems but also emotional and perhaps social problems if the person feels uncomfortable and keeps thinking that an odor could become apparent to others.

What are the causes of vaginal odor?

Besides excessive washing, douching also tight clothes and certain chemicals (scented body washes, antibacterial soap, etc) can provoke a vaginal infection or yeast infection. Certain contraceptives and foreign bodies in the vagina can provoke vaginal odor and other major health issues. Especially, vaginal and anal intercourse in the same session can cause vaginal infection resulting in vaginal odor. Though rare, your diet may affect the smell of your vagina. In some cases of vaginal odor, eating a healthy diet (eating fruit and vegetables abundantly) can remedy the condition without any medical treatment.

Useful tips

Wear clean tampons and change them regularly. Avoid Douching, it is not necessary; it can damage or destroy the normal acidity of the vagina resulting in vaginal problems. If you suffer from any type of vaginal infection, it is recommended to avoid wearing tight underwear and pants so that the vagina can breathe easier. Tight clothes can irritate the vagina and cause or increase vaginal odor. Wearing cotton panties is also important. If a vaginal infection persists despite treatment, you need to see a doctor because it could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, STDs, Vaginitis, Yeast Infection, cervical or vaginal cancer etc. For women, after intercourse, it is important to urinate. Urination after sex helps to remove any possible bacteria that may be outside or inside the vaginal canal that would go up in the urethra. Because once present, these microbes tend to go up into the bladder, and can cause recurrent urinary infections